Aspen's High-Altitude Festival Keeps Toes Tapping

At A Glance

Where

Wheeler Opera House, 320 East Hyman Avenue, Aspen, Colorado 81611

When

Mar 21, 2012 - Mar 25, 2012

Who

John Oates

Price

Full festival passes are $195

The city of Aspen sits at an altitude of 7,908 feet, which is the perfect name for a unique festival that is growing in popularity. This is the third year for the 7908 Aspen Songwriters Festival, produced by songwriter Hall of Fame member John Oates. It’s held each year at Aspen’s legendary and historic Wheeler Opera House. The event is March 21-25.

Oates, of the famed band Hall & Oates, said, “The 7908 Aspen Songwriter Festival is close to my heart for so many reasons, foremost being the celebration of the art and craft of songwriting. Songwriters are the life blood of the music business and our festival is a way to showcase the talents of the professional and established writers alongside a new generation of songwriters in an intimate acoustic environment to allow the audience to experience the song in its purest form.”

Photo courtesy Lynn Goldsmith.

The 13 performances range from Appalachian Americana through to Alt-Rock and Pop. Performances are Wednesday through Sunday night with many Grammy winners on stage, including Oates and Sam Bush. They’ll perform on the final night and you never know who will come up on stage and join them. Aspen is known for stars and celebrities spending time there.

Photo courtesy Lynn Goldsmith.

This year there is also a homegrown search for Colorado’s Best Songwriter. The mountain towns of Vail, Steamboat Springs, Aspen, Winter Park, and Boulder are holding competitions open to all Colorado residents. Gram Slaton with the Wheeler Opera House says contestants are required to perform only self-penned material for the judges: “Based on originality, talent, and presentation, finalists will receive three nights lodging in Aspen, perform in several of Aspen’s best-loved bars over three evenings, and receive a full-festival pass. And the winner will get to perform before the final 7908 show, sharing the stage with John Oates. Not a bad first prize!”

Full festival tickets are available as are single tickets and day passes.

The Wheeler Opera House was built in Aspen in 1889. Photo courtesy of the Wheeler Opera House.